Chapter 39: A dinner date
His head only throbbed even harder after Athan called for another meeting. This time, it was a bigger conference attending all representatives from design, production, and marketing departments for the launch of the HZ Clothing Brand summer collection.
It went on for hours, stopping at lunch break and continuing at noon until it was finally finished at the afternoon break. He had to compile many things, answer calls, and send emails while receiving disapproving looks from his colleagues.
Rona must have run her mouth already, Knox thought to himself. It was obvious that she liked Athan, so she was picking on him out of envy and jealousy. He wanted to explain, but that would only escalate things further, and might even attract the media if he let the truth slip.
Knox had a hectic day, and the only relief and consolation that enlivened his dreary mood was the video call he had with Knoa during lunch. Knoa was only three years old, but he was already enrolled in a daycare center, as Franz suggested since they both observed that Knoa is quite smart among kids his age.
Aside from that, it was also to help Knox somehow. With his work and problems, he couldn’t take care of Knoa properly, and having him surrounded by other kids in a safe place instead of playing alone in their home was putting Knox at ease.
Today was Knoa’s first day, and Knox made sure to remind Shawn to pick up Knoa before lunch since his schedule was only a half day. Shawn was also the one who dropped him off, which greatly dismayed Knox about himself.
"I couldn’t even drop or pick him off...this is frustrating," he murmured to himself as he dumped his head between his knees while sitting on a bench in the sky garden of the company building. The trellises that only gave shade on his spot were allowing the midday sunlight to pass through, yet Knox didn’t even bother to move and hide.
He wallowed in that silence and took time to rest until someone came and deprived him of his much-needed peace.
"What’s frustrating?"
Knox heard a familiar voice. He lifted his head without straightening his bent body supported by his arms pressed on his thighs and frowned towards the man whose visage he couldn’t recognize yet, since he stood against the light.
The man moved and faced the sunlight, allowing Knox to see his appearance. Upon recognizing the person’s face, Knox quickly stood straight.